Optus removes Arabic poster after Sydney staff were threatened

Optus has made the decision to remove an advertising poster written in Arabic and placed in a Sydney shopping centre after staff were allegedly threatened.

Angry customers took to social media to denounce the sign located outside the Casula branch, but the telco stood firm until an alleged threat was made.

“Following a threat to our store staff, we made the decision to remove some materials that were published in Arabic. The safety and security of our staff is paramount,” an Optus spokesperson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Translated into English, the Arabic posters read: "We speak your language. Come to one of these Optus stores and chat to us in Arabic”.

“In some communities we actively promote the bilingual skills of our front line staff,” a spokesperson said.

The Optus store in Casula Mall. (Supplied)

Nearly 10 percent of residents in the City of Liverpool, where Casula Mall is located, speak Arabic as their first language.

The Telecommunications giant has now removed three ads from the mall, but the posters are still up in other Sydney shopping centres.